US7533920B2 - Selectively detachable tailgate hinge assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A selectively detachable tailgate hinge assembly connects a tailgate to a vehicle. The hinge assembly has a hinge mechanism, a first wiring harness, and a second wiring harness. At least a first portion of the hinge mechanism may be selectively detached from a second portion of the hinge. The first wiring harness operatively connects to at least one component within a tailgate and further has a first electrical contact that is positioned within the first portion of the hinge mechanism. The second wiring harness operatively connects to a power source positioned in the vehicle and further has a second electrical contact that is positioned within the second portion of the hinge mechanism. The electrical contacts are electrically engaged with one another when the hinge mechanism is assembled and electrically disengaged when the first portion of the hinge mechanism is detached from the second portion of the hinge mechanism.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Described herein is an illustrative selectively detachable tailgate hinge assembly for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Various types of motor vehicles, such as pickup trucks and SUTs (sport utility trucks), are provided with tailgates that provide access to cargo beds. The tailgates for these vehicles are often hinged at the bottom and operatively connected to the rear end of the cargo bed. To access the cargo bed, the tailgate may be opened and closed, either manually or by a power control apparatus. When in the closed position, the tailgate is secured to the vehicle using fork-bolt type latches on lateral edges of the tailgate that operatively engage with striker pins extending from sidewalls of the cargo bed.

In some instances, it may be desirable to selectively remove the tailgate from the vehicle. However, with conventional hinge mechanisms, removal of the tailgate requires specific tools and removal is often cumbersome. The detachability of the tailgate is even more problematic in vehicles where the tailgate may carry components that need to be electrically connected to a power source. For example, in a tailgate that utilizes a power control apparatus to release or engage the latching mechanism, it is necessary that the tailgate be electrically connected a power source, which entails providing suitable wiring that extends from the tailgate into a portion of the vehicle body where the power source is located. However, in instances where it may be desirable to selectively detach a tailgate from the vehicle, the wiring leading from the tailgate to the vehicle body becomes problematic in that it cannot be easily detached without destroying the wiring. Accordingly, there is a need for tailgate hinge mechanism that may be used to selectively remove the tailgate from a vehicle with minimal effort, as well as a need for a tailgate wiring system for providing power to the tailgate that may be easily detached to permit selective detachment of the tailgate from a vehicle body with minimal effort.

SUMMARY

A selectively detachable tailgate hinge assembly for connecting a tailgate to a vehicle is disclosed. The hinge assembly comprises a hinge mechanism, a first wiring harness, and a second wiring harness. The hinge mechanism connects a portion of the tailgate to a portion of a vehicle. At least a first portion of the hinge mechanism may be selectively detached from a second portion of the hinge mechanism which permits the tailgate to be selectively removed from the vehicle.

The first wiring harness operatively connects to at least one component within a tailgate. The first wiring harness further comprises a first electrical contact that is positioned within the first portion of the hinge mechanism. The second wiring harness operatively connects to a power source positioned in the vehicle. The second wiring harness further comprises a second electrical contact that is positioned within the second portion of the hinge mechanism. The first and second electrical contacts are electrically engaged with one another when the hinge mechanism is assembled and electrically disengaged when the first portion of the hinge mechanism is detached from the second portion of the hinge mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, of which the following is a brief description:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear end of a vehicle equipped with a selectively detachable tailgate hinge assembly and illustrating a tailgate in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear end of the vehicle ofFIG. 1 with the tailgate in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tailgate assembly ofFIG. 1 in the open position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the vehicle, illustrating a hinge mechanism for a tailgate assembly that is operatively connected to a power assembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a selectively detachable tailgate hinge assembly engaged to one side of the tailgate taken from encircled area B ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hinge mechanism ofFIG. 4 removed from the tailgate.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a selectively detachable tailgate hinge mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the selectively detachable tailgate hinge mechanism taken along lines8-8 ofFIG. 7

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the hinge mechanism ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged elevational view of a power assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a tailgate switch taken along lines10-10 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a manual selectively detachable hinge mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, illustrative embodiments are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent the embodiments, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an embodiment. Further, the embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary embodiments of a power tailgate hinge assembly of the present invention will now be described in connection with its use on a vehicle.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown avehicle10 having acargo bed11. Thecargo bed11 is generally defined by afloor portion22, afront wall13, two laterally spacedside walls14a,14band a selectivelymovable tailgate16. Tailgate16 includes afirst end18 and asecond end20. Thefirst end18 oftailgate16 is hingedly connected to a portion of arear end12 of the vehicle. Tailgate16 is movable between a closed position and an open position. Whentailgate16 is in the closed position,tailgate16 is generally perpendicular to the floor portion22 (as seen inFIG. 2). A latching mechanism (not shown), such as a fork bolt type latch or other suitable latching mechanism, is provided onrespective side edges21 oftailgate16. Each latching mechanism engages a corresponding latch member (not shown) such as a striker pin, that is positioned on a portion ofside walls14aand14badjacent therear end12 ofvehicle10 to securetailgate16 in the closed position.

Oncetailgate16 is in the closed position, the latching mechanism may be actuated to release the latching mechanism from the latch member. In one embodiment, the latching mechanism may be manually released from the latch member by operating a handle23 (best seen inFIG. 2) that is attached to outer surface oftailgate16. In another embodiment, as disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/513,864, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference, a power source operatively connected totailgate16 serves to release the latching mechanism. In such an embodiment, the power source may be configured to release the latching mechanism from the latch member in response to a signal from an actuation member such as a button on a key fob, or an actuation button positioned onvehicle10. In either embodiment, once released from the closed position,tailgate16 may be lowered into the open position, wherebytailgate16 is generally coplanar with thefloor portion22, as shown inFIG. 1.

As discussed above,tailgate16 is hingedly connected tovehicle16 by a pair of hinge mechanisms. Hinge mechanisms may be manually operated hinge mechanisms, power operated hinge mechanisms, or a combination of a manually operated hinge mechanism and a power operated hinge mechanism.

In one specific embodiment,tailgate16 is connected tovehicle16 by first andsecond hinge mechanisms25 and26, respectively. First hinge mechanism25 (as best seen inFIG. 11) is a conventional detachable hinge mechanism that is used with tailgates that are manually moved between the open and closed positions.First hinge mechanism25 will be described in further detail below.

Second hinge mechanism26 (best seen inFIGS. 4-9) may be connected to a power assembly24 (FIG. 9) that raises and lowerstailgate16 in response to an actuation device.Second hinge mechanism26 includes atailgate bracket28 and adrive cup30. In one embodiment,tailgate bracket28 is generally L-shaped and is positioned with afirst leg28asecured toside edge21 oftailgate16 andsecond leg28bsecured tofirst end18 oftailgate16. Power assembly24 (to be explained further below) may be actuated to open andclose tailgate16.

In one embodiment, anoptional lever arm32 may also be included insecond hinge mechanism26.Lever arm32 comprises abody portion33a, aleg portion33b, and afoot portion33c.Leg portion33bconnectsfoot portion33ctobody portion33a.Foot portion33candbody portion33aare generally parallel to one another, withleg portion33bbeing angled outwardly so as tospace foot portion33ca predetermined distance inboard frombody portion33a.

A driveshaft34 (an example of which may be seen inFIG. 8) is provided which may operatively connect to aclevis36 for engagement with an actuation member ofpower assembly24. In one embodiment, (as specifically shown inFIG. 8),driveshaft34 is integrally formed withlever arm32. In such an embodiment,driveshaft34 includes afirst portion34athat is positioned on one side oflever arm32, and asecond portion34bthat is positioned on a second side of lever arm.

Hinge mechanism26 may further include one or more support brackets for attachinghinge mechanism26 to a vehicle frame. As shown inFIG. 4, in one embodiment,hinge mechanism26 includes aninner support bracket38 and anouter support bracket40. Inner andouter support brackets38 and40 are received ondriveshaft34 and further include one ormore attachment openings42. Inner andouter support brackets38 and40 are assembled so as to form a small gap44 (best seen inFIG. 8) therebetween.Gap44 receives a portion of a vehicle body structure46 (best seen inFIGS. 4 and 9) therein. Afastening element47, such as a screw and nut assembly for example, engagesattachment openings42 to secure inner andouter support brackets38 and40 tovehicle body structure46.

In one embodiment, inner andouter support brackets38 and40 further include outwardly extendingcollars48 and50.Collars48 and50 are oriented so as to extend fromoutside surfaces52 and54 of inner andouter support brackets38 and40.Collars48 and50 may further be equipped with bearing sleeves (not shown) that receivedriveshaft34 to insure thatdriveshaft34 rotates independent ofsupport brackets38 and40. In one embodiment,collars48 and50 are integral withsupport brackets38 and40.

Hinge mechanism26 is further equipped with a pathway for providing an electrical connection between components withintailgate16 and a power source withinvehicle10. More specifically, apathway57 is formed throughdriveshaft34, as may be seen inFIG. 8. Drivecup30, which attaches to an end ofsecond portion34bofdriveshaft34, further includes agroove59 formed in afront portion60.Groove59 is in communication with achannel61 that extends through anopposite end portion62 ofdrive cup30.Groove59 is somewhat larger thanchannel61. Acap63 is connected to endportion62 ofdrive cup30 by any suitable means. In one embodiment,cap63 may be frictionally engaged withend portion62 by mounting protrusions (not shown) that mate with corresponding mounting apertures (not shown). Alternatively, cap63 may be secured using a suitable sealant.Cap63 further includes apathway65 for afirst wiring harness67 to extend therethrough. Whencap63 is secured to drivecup30 and drivecup30 is attached todriveshaft34,pathway65 is generally axially aligned withpathway57.

One end (not shown) offirst wiring harness67 may be electrically connected to various components requiring power that are positioned intailgate16. As shown inFIG. 8, a portion offirst wiring harness67 extends through aspring member69.Spring member69 is partially disposed within a mountingseat71 formed incap63 andchannel61 ofdrive cup30. A distal end offirst wiring harness67 is connected to a firstelectrical contact73.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 8,second portion34bofdriveshaft34 is formed with agroove75 that extends inwardly from asecond end76 thereof.Pathway57 is in communication withgroove75, extending through afirst end77 offirst portion34aofdriveshaft34.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 8A, in an embodiment that does not include alever arm32,second end76′ ofdriveshaft34 includes agroove75′.Groove75′ is in communication withpathway57.

Asecond wiring harness79 includes a distal end that is connected to a secondelectrical contact81. Secondelectrical contact81 is positioned withingroove75/75′ andwiring harness79 extends throughpathway57 and into the vehicle body. An end ofwiring harness79 is operatively connected topower assembly24.

Hinge assembly26 is assembled as follows.Driveshaft34 is preloaded withsecond wiring harness79 such that secondelectrical contact81 positioned withingroove75/75′. For the embodiment shown inFIG. 8,second portion34bofdriveshaft34 is press-fit intogroove59 that is formed infront portion60 ofdrive cup30. For the embodiment shown inFIG. 8A where nolever arm32 is used,second end76 ofdriveshaft34 is positioned withingroove59. In both embodiments,driveshaft34 is positioned throughsupport brackets38 and40. Ifsecond hinge mechanism26 is to be used as a power operated hinge mechanism, clevis36 may be attached tofirst end77 ofdriveshaft34. In one embodiment,first end77 ofdriveshaft34 is keyed and received in anaperture64 ofclevis36 which is correspondingly keyed such thatdriveshaft34 will rotate in response to movement byclevis36.

Firstelectrical contact73 offirst wiring harness67 is inserted intochannel61 ofend portion62 ofdrive cup30.Spring member73 is disposed around a portion offirst wiring harness67 and is positioned, at least partially, withinchannel61, as well. Further,spring member73 is positioned adjacent firstelectrical contact73.

First wiring harness67 extends throughpathway65 that is formed incap63.Cap63 is then secured to an end ofdrive cup30 and mountingseat71 engages an end ofspring member69. Oncecap63 is secured to endportion62 ofdrive cup30 anddriveshaft34 is positioned withinfront portion60 ofdrive cup30, the spring force ofspring member69 forces firstelectrical contact73 into engagement with secondelectrical contact81, thereby electrically connecting first and second wiring harnesses67,79 wheneversecond hinge mechanism26 is assembled.

In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 8A,front portion60 ofdrive cup30 may further include anannular groove83 formed therein.Annular groove83 is sized so as to retain a sealingmember85, such as an o-ring.

For the embodiment shown inFIG. 8, once drivecup30 anddriveshaft34 are assembled,foot portion33cis positioned in contact withfirst leg28aoftailgate bracket28. Becausedriveshaft34 is fixedly connected to leverarm32, asclevis36 drives driveshaft34,lever arm32 will also rotate. Further,foot portion33coflever arm32 may contact aflange66 that is formed onfirst leg28aoftailgate bracket28, thereby liftingtailgate16. This arrangement reduces torque ondrive cup30.

A portion ofsecond hinge mechanism26 may be selectively detached from another portion ofsecond hinge mechanism26 to as to permittailgate16 to be selectively removed fromvehicle10. For example, in one embodiment, drivecup30 may be disengaged fromdriveshaft34. Such action would necessarily disengage first and secondelectrical contacts73,81, and thereby breaking any electrical connection therebetween. However, neither first nor second wiring harnesses67,79 will be damaged by the disengagement.

As mentioned above,second hinge mechanism26 may be connected topower assembly24, which is described in detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/513,864. One function thatpower assembly24 may serve is to release the latching mechanism, as well as open andclose tailgate16 in response to an actuation member. In one embodiment, referring toFIG. 9,power assembly24 includes ascrew assembly72 that is connected to awire cable74. Amotor assembly78 operatesscrew assembly72. A controller84controls motor assembly78. Whilepower assembly24 may control the operation oftailgate16,power assembly24 may also serve a number of alternative functions. For example, in addition to providing power to tailgate16 to selectively engage and disengage the latching mechanism (not shown) that securestailgate16 to a portion ofvehicle10,power assembly24 may also provide power to one or more sensors, such as pinch strips90 to modify operation oftailgate16 in the event of an obstruction in the path oftailgate16. For example, sensors may be used to detect whether or not an obstruction is present in the travel path oftailgate16 as it moves between the open and closed positions that may impede proper closing oftailgate16. In such an embodiment, the sensors are in electrical communication with controller84. Based on signals received from the sensors, controller84 may stopmotor assembly78 from continuing with movingtailgate16 into the closed position or instructmotor assembly78 to returntailgate16 to the open position.

As suggested above, in one embodiment, pinch strips90 serve as the sensors that are in electrical communication with controller84. As may be seen, for example, inFIGS. 3 and 4, pinch strips90 are generally disposed alongside edge21, as well as contact surfaces27 and29 oftailgate16,walls14a,14b, andcargo bed22, respectively. When controller84 activatesmotor assembly78 to movetailgate16 from an open position to a closed position, pinch strips90 are utilized to sense if an obstruction is present. If an obstruction is present, controller84 will stopmotor assembly78 from continuing movingtailgate16 into the closed position. Controller84 may also be programmed to automatically returntailgate16 to the open position when an obstruction is present. Thus,motor assembly78 is protected from abusive loading and damage due to the presence of an obstruction, and a user is also protected from inadvertent closure oftailgate16 on a body part.

In addition to controlling opening and closing oftailgate16,power assembly24 may further provide power to arear brake light80 and/or reverse lights82 (as best seen inFIG. 2) mounted ontailgate16 through the electrical connection formed between firstelectrical contact73 and secondelectrical contact81. More specifically, a distal end (not shown) offirst wiring harness67 is positioned withintailgate16 and may be connected to a terminal (not shown) that includes additional wiring harnesses in electrical communication with the various components positioned withintailgate16. Such components include, but are not limited to, one ormore brake lights80,reverse lights82, pinch strips90, and/or the latch mechanism.

A distal connection end92 ofsecond wiring harness79 is connected to controller84, as may be seen inFIG. 9, for example. Thus, whenhinge mechanism26 is assembled, thereby forcing first and secondelectrical contacts73,81 to electrically engage one another, power may be transmitted throughhinge mechanism26 to tailgate16. Further, becausefirst wiring harness67 andsecond wiring harness79 are retained in different selectively detachable portions ofhinge mechanism26, when hinge mechanism disassembled to permit removal oftailgate16 fromvehicle10, the electrical connection between first andsecond contact portions73,81 is automatically broken, without damaging wiring harnesses67,79. Also, oncetailgate16 is re-installed and hinge mechanism is re-assembled, the electrical connection between first andsecond contact portions73,81 are easily re-established such that power is restored to the various components housed intailgate16.

Operation ofpower assembly24 with respect tosecond hinge mechanism26 will now be described. In operation, aswitch115, which may be located onwall14aof vehicle10 (see, e.g.,FIG. 11), an interior ofvehicle10, or on a key fob (not shown); sends a signal to controller84 to movetailgate16. Iftailgate16 is in the open position, controller84 causesmotor assembly78 to move components ofwire cable74 in a first direction so as to actuatescrew assembly72, which is connected to clevis36 ofsecond hinge mechanism26.Screw assembly72 then drivesclevis36 downward (indicated by arrow D inFIG. 9), thereby activatingsecond hinge mechanism26 so as to raisetailgate16 into the closed position (seeFIG. 2), whereby the latching mechanism will be engaged with the mating latching member.

Tolower tailgate16 into the open position (seeFIGS. 1 and 3, e.g.), theswitch115 is activated andpower assembly24 releases the latch mechanism.Motor assembly78 moves components ofwire cable74 in a second direction, such that a portion ofsecond hinge mechanism26 is rotated upwardly in a direction opposite of arrow D. By this action,second hinge mechanism26 is activated to permittailgate16 to rotate so as tolower tailgate16 into the open position.

An example ofswitch115 that is positioned withinlateral wall14bis shown inFIG. 10.Switch115 includes adepressible indent button116 that is retained within agrommet117. Connected toindent button116 is awiring harness118.Wiring harness118 is connected to controller84. In one embodiment,grommet117 includes a series of retaining channels that receive a portion oflateral wall14b. By providing a series of retaining channels, multiple set locations forswitch115 are possible. As described above,depressing switch115 will send a single to controller84 to activatemotor assembly78 to movetailgate16 into the open or closed position.

In one embodiment,tailgate16 may be moved between the open and closed position viaswitch115, as described above. In another embodiment, the latching mechanism is manually released byhandle23 andtailgate16 is rotated to a predetermined angle upon whichscrew assembly72 andmotor assembly78 will permittailgate16 to lower into the open position.

Controller84 may further be programmed to only operatetailgate assembly26 under certain conditions. For example, controller84 may be programmed to prohibit release oftailgate16 from the closed position whenvehicle10 is in a driving mode. Controller84 may also be programmed to prohibit release oftailgate16 if tailgate is locked. Further, controller84 may also be programmed to provide an indicator (such as a light on the dash panel or an audible sound) to a driver upon start ofvehicle10 iftailgate16 is in the open position.

First hinge mechanism25 is illustrated in greater detailed inFIG. 11. In the embodiment shown,first hinge mechanism25 is positioned in encircled area A ofFIG. 1 and is not attached to a power assembly, likehinge mechanism26.Hinge mechanism25 includes atailgate bracket86, avehicle bracket88 and acollar87 that contains a roller bearing (not shown).Tailgate bracket86 is fixedly secured to tailgate16 with oneportion86abeing secured to aside edge21 oftailgate16 and asecond portion86bbeing secured tofirst end18 oftailgate16.

Adriveshaft89 is fixedly connected tovehicle bracket88, and extends throughcollar87 and through a slotted opening (not shown) formed oncollar87. The slotted opening has a slot area that is only accessible whentailgate16 is rotated to a predetermined angle. In one particular embodiment, this angle is approximately 45°. Aconnection mechanism91 may be secured to an end ofcollar87 to securecollar87 to tailgatebracket86.Vehicle bracket88 is fixedly connected to a portion ofvehicle10 such aswall14a.

Tailgate16 may optionally include a tailgate cable93 (as best seen inFIG. 1).Tailgate cable93 may be a stainless steel cable that may further include a protective sleeve thereon to prevent potential damage to tailgatecable93.Tailgate cable93 has afirst end118 that is connected to tailgate16 closer tosecond end20 thanfirst end18 oftailgate16. Asecond end97 is connected to alateral wall14a/14b. In some embodiments, a pair oftailgate cables93 may be provided on either side oftailgate16. Whentailgate16 is in the open position,tailgate cable93 may partially supporttailgate16 in that position and/or as a fail/safe against potential failure ofhinge mechanism26. Further,tailgate cable93 has a predetermined length so as to limit howfar tailgate16 may open. It is desired that at least one of the ends oftailgate cable93 may be selectively disengaged such thattailgate16 may be selectively removable fromvehicle10.

To selectively disconnecttailgate16 fromvehicle10, both first andsecond hinge mechanisms25 and26, respectively, must be disconnected. In one embodiment, the process for removingtailgate16 fromvehicle10 begins with selectively disconnectinghinge mechanism25. To disconnecthinge mechanism25,tailgate16 first must be opened to a predetermined angle. In one embodiment, the predetermined angle is about 45°. Oncetailgate16 has been rotated to the predetermined angle,tailgate16 is pulled so as to movedriveshaft89 out of engagement with a slot formed oncollar87, thereby disconnectinghinge mechanism25.

Next,hinge mechanism26 is disconnected to permit removal oftailgate16 fromvehicle10. Afterhinge mechanism25 is disconnected, drivecup30 is simply pulled away and out of engagement withdriveshaft34. More specifically, drivecup30, which is secured to tailgatebracket28, is pulled laterally away fromdriveshaft34 such thatdriveshaft34 detaches from engagement withgroove57. By disengagingdriveshaft34 fromdrive cup30, first and secondelectrical contact portions73,81 are also disengaged.

To reinstalltailgate16 back onvehicle10,drive cup30 is simply fitted overdriveshaft34 and is moved overdriveshaft34 untilfirst end76 is seated withingroove57. Oncedriveshaft34 is fully positioned within groove, first and secondelectrical contacts73,81 are forced into electrical engagement byspring member69. Next,tailgate16 is then again positioned at the predetermined angle, and driveshaft190 ofhinge mechanism25 is re-inserted into the slot area andtailgate16 is pushed so as fully seatdriveshaft89 withincollar87. If atailgate cable93 is provided,tailgate cable93 is then engaged with a portion ofvehicle10 and a portion oftailgate16.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe exemplary embodiments of the methods and systems of the claimed invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. The scope of the invention is limited solely by the following claims.

Claims (21)

1. A selectively detachable tailgate hinge assembly for connecting a tailgate to a vehicle, comprising:

a hinge mechanism that connects a portion of the tailgate to a portion of the vehicle, wherein at least a first portion of the hinge mechanism may be selectively detached from a second portion of the hinge mechanism;

a first wiring harness that operatively connects to at least one component within a tailgate; wherein the first wiring harness includes a first electrical contact; and

a second wiring harness operatively connects to a power source in the vehicle; wherein the second wiring harness includes a second electrical contact; wherein

the first electrical contact is positioned within the first portion of the hinge mechanism and wherein the second electrical contact is positioned within the second portion of the hinge mechanism; and wherein

the first and second electrical contacts are electrically engaged when the hinge mechanism is assembled and electrically disengaged when the first portion of the hinge mechanism is detached from the second portion of the hinge mechanism.

2. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 1, wherein

the hinge mechanism further comprises a drive cup that detachably receives a portion of a driveshaft.

3. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 2, wherein

the drive cup includes an annular channel formed therein for receiving a sealing member.

4. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 2, wherein

the first electrical contact is positioned in the drive cup and the second electrical contact is positioned within the drive shaft.

5. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 2, further comprising

a cap engaged with a rear portion of the drive cup, wherein

the cap further includes a first pathway formed therethrough for receiving a portion of the first wiring harness.

6. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 5, wherein

the drive cup further comprises a first groove in a front portion thereof and a channel that is in communication with the first groove formed in the rear portion thereof.

7. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 5, wherein

the first electrical contact is partially positioned within a channel of the drive cup.

8. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 7, further comprising

a spring member that is positioned within a seat formed in the cap, wherein

the spring member biases the first electrical contact in a first direction away from the cap.

9. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 4, wherein

the driveshaft further includes an end portion having a second groove formed therein and a second pathway extending from the groove to a distal end of the driveshaft for receiving a portion of the second wiring harness.

10. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 9, wherein

the second electrical contact is disposed within the second groove.

11. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 1, wherein

the hinge mechanism further comprises: a tailgate bracket that connects to the tailgate;

a drive cup, and

a driveshaft; wherein

the drive cup selectively connects the driveshaft to the tailgate bracket such that the drive cup may be selectively detached from the driveshaft.

12. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 11, further comprising

at least one support bracket mounted on the driveshaft.

13. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 11, further comprising

a clevis fixedly connected to the driveshaft; wherein

the clevis operatively connects to a power assembly that that is connected to an actuation device, wherein

the clevis rotates the driveshaft to move the hinge between a first position and a second position in response to a signal received from the actuation device.

14. The tailgate hinge assembly ofclaim 13, wherein

the actuation device is a switch that is located on a portion of the vehicle, wherein

the switch is electrically connected to the power assembly and may be activated by a user to operate the power assembly to rotate the clevis.

15. A selectively detachable tailgate assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a tailgate movable between an open position and a closed position;

a hinge mechanism that connects a portion of the tailgate to a portion of the vehicle, the hinge mechanism comprising at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein

the first portion may be selectively detached from the second portion to permit the tailgate to be removed from the vehicle;

a first wiring harness operatively connected to at least one component housed within the tailgate; wherein

the first wiring harness includes a first electrical contact; and

a second wiring harness operatively connected to a power source in the vehicle; wherein

the second wiring harness includes a second electrical contact; wherein

the first electrical contact is positioned within the first portion of the hinge mechanism and wherein the second electrical contact is positioned within the second portion of the hinge mechanism; and wherein

the first and second electrical contacts are electrically engaged when the hinge mechanism is assembled and the tailgate is attached to the vehicle and wherein the first and second electrical contacts are electrically disengaged when the first portion of the hinge mechanism is detached from the second portion of the hinge mechanism.

16. The tailgate assembly ofclaim 15, further comprising a spring member that biases the first electrical contact into electrical engagement with the second electrical contact.

17. The tailgate assembly ofclaim 15, wherein

the hinge mechanism further comprises:

a tailgate bracket fixedly connected to the tailgate;

a drive cup that is secured to the tailgate bracket,

a cap secured to a rear portion of the drive cup; and

a driveshaft; wherein

the drive cup selectively connects the driveshaft to the tailgate bracket such that the drive cup may be selectively detached from the driveshaft.

18. The tailgate assembly ofclaim 16, wherein:

the cap further comprises a first pathway formed therethrough in which a portion of the first wiring harness is disposed; and

the driveshaft further comprises a second pathway formed therethrough in which a portion of the second wiring harness is disposed.

19. The tailgate assembly ofclaim 18, wherein

the first pathway is in communication with a channel that is formed in a rear portion of the drive cup; and wherein

the channel receives a portion of the first electrical contact portion.

20. The tailgate assembly ofclaim 19, wherein

the channel is in communication with a first groove that is formed in a front portion of the drive cup and wherein

the first groove receives an end of the driveshaft.

21. The tailgate assembly ofclaim 20, wherein

the second pathway is in communication with a second groove that is formed in the driveshaft; and wherein

the second groove receives the second electrical contact portion.

Images